Vehicles parking in multiple levels and method for managing maneuvering

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a vehicles parking in multiple levels ( 1 ), which comprises a parking box ( 2 ); a base structure ( 3 ) and a lifting system ( 4 ); allowing the storing of vehicles in different levels in relation to the ground level, optimizing the use of the space; and to a method for managing maneuvering consisting of a system for optimizing the parking space and the vehicles parking in multiple levels ( 1 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of buildings; more specifically to the buildings for vehicles parking.

STATE OF ART

The increase of the number of the circulating vehicles and the greater demand for parking spots in big city centers have led to the adoption of vertical solutions for parkings. The several templates of parkings, parking equipments and parking systems with such aim can be classified in two main types: of direct access and of indirect access.

Direct access vertical parkings are characterized by the removal of the requested vehicle without the need of maneuvering the previous vehicles, in other words, the transportation system directly access the target without the movement of non requested vehicles. Similar to a regular ground parking, where there are the space of the parking spot and a passage to exit the vehicle, not having the need of maneuvering other vehicles that unable its way out. There are variations of this kind of template with different automatization degrees. Since manually operated, up to totally automated.

Indirect access vertical parkings are characterized by the removal of the requested vehicle with the need of maneuvering the previous vehicles, in other words, the transportation system needs to move non requested vehicles to access the target vehicle. Similar to a regular ground parking, where there is only the space of the parking spot, being necessary a driver to remove the vehicles that unable the removal of the requested vehicle. Both types of parking are built in a building structure.

The existing direct access vertical parkings are really efficient in the access operation of the vehicles, on the other hand, it occupies a relevant part of the space destined to the vehicles movement system. At this point, the parking goes against its own purpose, which is to optimize the space once it uses a significant area destined to the movement and not to storing. In this way, those parkings need a high number of pavements to make them viable. Patents EP 0374104, U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,089; U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,636; U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,182 relate to parking systems of this kind.

Yet, indirect access parkings prioritize a better volumetric occupation rate and, due to this, they preclude from a direct movement of the vehicles. Such movement occurs through stages and is in function of the position of the target vehicle and the position of their neighbor vehicles. Those templates demand more elaborated mechanisms and spend a greater time for its operation.

Patent documents EP 0394378; US 20080075566 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,948 relate to indirect access parkings having multiple levels of parking spots.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to propose a vehicles parking that allows the automated storing in multiple levels in relation to the ground level and, with that, optimizing the use of the ground.

As the last objective of the invention, it is proposed a method for managing maneuvering of vehicles for the parking in multiple levels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vehicles parking in multiple levels which comprises a parking box; a supporting base structure with locks and horizontal ground transportation; and a lifting system. This parking allows the storing of vehicles in different levels in relation to the ground, optimizing, thus, the use of the space.

The parking box can be stacked on a base structure, which allows the stacking of a set of boxes forming a pile. The base structure allows that the vehicles remain at a determined height from the ground, allowing, thus, the horizontal movement of the boxes only at ground level.

Henceforth, a supporting base structure with locks and horizontal ground transportation will be called solely as base structure and a set of boxes positioned on a base structure will be called pile or box pile. A set of piles positioned side by side along with a lifting system, will be called as line of piles or line of box pile, and a set of line of piles placed side by side will be called as vehicles parking in multiple levels.

The lifting system allows that each parking box be vertically moved. The vertical movement occurs by the positioning of the lifting system right below the parking box in which the ground level is, which is, then, lifted up to the first level above the ground and lock the supports of the base structure.

In an operation opposite to the previously disclosed, the parking box is initially found locked to the supports of the base structure at the first level up to the ground level, until the lifting system engages to the box, thus, allowing the opening of the locks of the base system, allowing that the lifting system moves the box back to the ground level. In other words, in this operation, the locks of the base structure firstly open to allow that only one parking box of the box pile be conducted to the ground level by the lift, thus, following, the locks of the base system close, locking the boxes on the first pavement. From this point, the parking box which is found at ground level is free to horizontally move with two different purposes: to move up to the place destined to the removal of the vehicle of this box through the driver of the vehicle or to occupy a temporary position at ground, thus, allowing, the movement of the other boxes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to obtain a total and complete view of the object of this patent of invention, attached are drawings which reference is made as follows.

FIG. 1 presents the perspective view of an embodiment of the vehicles parking in multiple levels.

FIG. 2 is the perspective view of a parking box.

FIG. 3 is the perspective view of the base structure.

FIG. 4 presents the perspective view of the lifting system.

FIG. 5 presents the perspective view of a box pile on the base structure.

FIG. 6 presents the perspective view of an embodiment of the set of piles.

FIG. 7 represents, in plant, the movement degrees of freedom of the parking box at ground level.

FIG. 8 is the sectional view and presents the movement degrees of freedom of the boxes at ground level and upper levels.

FIG. 9 represents the sectional view and presents the stages of an exit maneuvering of a vehicle.

FIG. 10 represents the sectional view and presents the stages of an entry maneuvering of a vehicle.

FIG. 11 represents the perspective view of the lifting system in lifted position.

FIG. 12 represents the perspective view of the lifting system in lowered position and presents the degrees of freedom of the horizontal movement of the lift at ground level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The vehicles parking in multiple levels (1) comprises a parking box (2); a base structure (3) and a lifting system (4); allowing the storing of vehicles in different levels in relation to ground level, optimizing the use of the space.

For the purposes of this invention, the terms box and parking box relate to the same structure and can be used indistinctively in this specification, presenting the same meaning. The same definition and indistinct use occurs with the plurals of these terms.

Thus, the parking box (2) object of the present invention is constituted by two bases (5) which are suitable for the positioning of the wheels of the vehicle and presents its ends fastened to the beams (6), which, in its turn, are fastened to the columns (7) endowed with engaging structures (8). The engaging structures (8) have the aim of guiding and ensure the correct fit between two adjacent boxes.

Preferably, the columns (7) are constituted by metallic tubes of squared profile and present crossed plates as engaging structure (8).

The terminal ends of the lateral beams (6) form a protrusion (9) which is suitable as supporting point from where the boxes will be supported by the base structure (3). Around all of the parking box (2), the tracks (10) are fastened, allowing the displacement of the parking box (2) in both directions during the horizontal movement.

The base structure (3) is constituted by four fixed metallic beams (11) in a way to form a framework supported by the metallic columns (12) fastened to the foundation on the ground level. Two movable beams (13) are connected to the framework with freedom to laterally move, being able to remain in the opened position allowing the free passage of the parking box (2) or in a closed position allowing the support of the boxes on the base structure (3). At the lower part of the base structure (3), the tracks (14) are located from where the lifting system (4) moves.

A framework, formed by the beams (15), (16), (17) and (18), supported by four small columns (19) and endowed with rollers (20) is placed on the inside of the base structure (3). The tracks (10) of the boxes (2) contact the rollers (20) and, in this way, they can horizontally move when the electric motor, installed on the framework, performs the acceleration or the braking of the parking box (2) in both directions during the horizontal movement. The electric motor is not part of the invention, thus, it was not illustrated and can be any electric engine pertaining to the state of art.

The beams (15) and (16) have variable lifting of a few centimeters and, when found on the highest position, it allows the action of the rollers (20) on the beams (15) and (16) and when found on the lowest position, it unable the action of those rotations, avoiding any interferences with the line of the rollers (20) of the beams (17) and (18).

The lifting system (4) is constituted by one lower framework (21) endowed with rollers (22) which allow the movement of the same on the tracks (23), allowing the lifting and lowing movements of the beam (24).

Each one of the beams (24) is connected to the rod (25) through its medial part; to the rollers (22) through the lower end and to the articulation (26) through the upper end, being the structure responsible for the lifting and to the lowering of the lifting system (4). The articulation (26) connects the upper framework (27) to the beam (24). The rollers have their movement restricted to the horizontal plan by the guides (28).

The upper framework (27) presents, in its four ends, the engaging structure (29) which allow the engagement of the boxes (2) during the movements of lifting and lowing of the box (2), placing them on the lifting system (4).

FIG. 5 shows a box pile (29), which is formed by the stacking of multiple parking boxes (2) on the base structure (3) and a lifting system (4). In this figure, it can be seen that, opposite to the direct and indirect parking systems of the state of art, the present invention does not need a building of fixed structures for supporting the boxes above the ground level, once the first parking box (2) of the box pile is directly positioned on the base structure (3) and the remainder boxes (2) of the pile are positioned one over the other.

In an embodiment of the invention, a line of piles comprises a set of box piles (29) horizontally overlapped, as can be seen on FIG. 6. When the lifting system (4) is on the lowing position, it can horizontally displace through the set of box piles solely in the longitudinal direction the structure showed in FIG. 12, on the tracks (14) of the base structure (3).

FIG. 7 presents an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the lines of the box piles (29) disposed side by side form a complete vehicles parking in multiple levels (1). FIG. 8 shows the movement degrees of freedom of the boxes (2) when they are positioned on ground level, which is the ground of the base structure (3).

The invention also relates to a method for managing maneuvering consisting of a system for optimizing parking space and the vehicles parking in multiple levels (1).

The method for managing maneuvering organizes a sequence of movements of the boxes (2) which compose the parking (1), in a way to allow the access of a vehicle on the inside of the parking, as well as its removal in smaller time.

In this invention, the sequence of movements of the boxes (2) and the maneuvering are synonym terms and can herein be used indiscriminately and independently, referring to the same feature of this object of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a sequence of movements of the boxes (2) promoted by the system for managing de maneuvering in the operation of removal of a vehicle. In this figure, it is illustrated an embodiment of the way of removal of a vehicle of the vehicles parking in multiple levels (1). This maneuvering is consisted of a sequence of lowering of the boxes of the box pile (29), illustrated of (a) to (d), followed by the horizontal displacement of the parking box (2) inferior of this pile (29), as indicated from (d) to (e). In this way, all of the boxes (2) under the target box will be placed on the level of the base structure (3) until the target box (2) hits the ground level, at the height of the ground level. Thus, the parking box (2) with the vehicle is directed up to the end of the parking in which it can be removed by a driver. At the same time, the boxes (2) which were spread on the level of the movable structure, will be forwarded to the base of the pile in the position where it will be lifted to reconstitute it, as the final disposal in (f).

FIG. 11 shows an entry maneuvering of a vehicle. After being left by the driver on the inside of the box (2), the vehicle will be led by the system of horizontal movement, up to the base of a pile where it will be lifted by the lifting system (4). Once lifted, the box is supported on the beams—locks of the base structure (3) and is stored under other boxes previously positioned on the pile.

FIG. 11 presents a set of base structures (3) disposed in line with the lifting system (4) in lifted position. Yet, in FIG. 12, the lifting system (4) is on the lowering position when it presents freedom to move on the directions indicated by the arrows.

In this way, the present invention relates, therefore, to a vehicles parking in multiple levels of indirect storing of vehicles and, in this way, it prioritizes a greater volumetric use. The main difference to the remainder parkings of the indirect type is that the present invention does not need a building structure, since its structure consists of independent boxes (2) and base structures (2). Despite the fact that it presents a simpler installation, the present vehicles parking in multiple levels also allows its desinstallation and, in this way, the possibility of change to other places, thus, allowing the use of the structure of vehicles parking in multiple levels, according to the need and without the loss of the investment already done.

The present invention also allows a variation on the capacity of parking spots in a parking, by the addition or removal of the boxes (2) due to the variations of the local demand of parking.

Besides, the boxes (2) and the base structure (3) do not have mechanical mechanisms, facilitating and reducing the costs of its making and installing.

Another advantage of the invention is that the functioning of the vehicles parking in multiple levels (1) is based on a very simple principle, which enables several different movement combinations of the boxes (2), creating a great variety of maneuvering options. Due to this fact, the present invention allows the use of resources for optimizing the process which can be performed in a customized way to each different user flow scenario, providing efficiency in the occupation and, at the same time, by using computational intelligence, the invention mitigates the major deficiency of the indirect system, which is the greater time for maneuvering.

At last, even though the invention has been broadly disclosed, it is obvious for those skilled in the art that several alterations and modifications can be performed without the fact that those alterations will not be covered by the scope of the invention. 

1-18. (canceled)
 19. Vehicles parking in multiple levels (1) characterized by the fact that it comprises a set of parking boxes (2), a set of base structures (3) and a set of lifting system (4), wherein: the parking box (2) is constituted by two bases (5) to positioning of the wheels of the vehicles and presents ends fastened to the beams (6), which, in its turn, are fastened to the columns (7), which presents the engaging structures in its upper end (8); the base structure (3) is constituted by four fixed beams (11) in a way to form a framework supported by the columns (12) fastened to the foundation on the ground level; two movable beams (13) being connected to the framework with freedom to laterally move, being able to remain in the opened position allowing the free passage of the parking box (2) or in a closed position allowing the support of the boxes on the base structure (3); at the lower part of the base structure (3) the tracks (14) are located from where the lifting system (4) moves; and the lifting system (4) is constituted by one lower framework (21) endowed with rollers (22) which allow the movement of the same on the tracks (23), guiding the lower part of the profile (24) on the lifting and lowing movements.
 20. Parking, according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that the columns (7) of the parking box (2) are constituted by metallic tubes of squared profile and present engaging structures as fitting structures (8).
 21. Parking, according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that the terminal ends of the beams (6) of the parking box (2) form a protrusion (9) which is suitable as supporting point from where the boxes will be supported by the base structure (3); the tracks (10) allow the displacement of the parking box (2) in both directions during horizontal movement.
 22. Parking, according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that the framework of the base structure (3) is formed by the beams (15), (16), (17) and (18), sustained by four small columns (19) and endowed with rollers (20) placed on the inside of the base structure (3); the tracks (10) of the boxes (2) are in contact with the rollers (20).
 23. Parking, according to claim 22, characterized by the fact that the beams (15) and (16) of the base structure (3) have variable lifting of a few centimeters and, when found on the highest position, it allows the action of the rollers (20); and when found on the lowest position, it unable the action of those rollers, avoiding any interferences with the line of the rollers (20) of the beams (17) and (18).
 24. Parking, according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that each one of the beams (24) of the lifting system (4) is connected to the rod (25) through its medial part; to the rollers (22) through the lower end and to the articulation (26) through the upper end, being the structure responsible for the lifting and to the lowering of the load to be supported by the lifting system (4); the articulation (26) connects the upper framework (27) to the beam (24) and the rollers have their movement restricted to the horizontal plan by the guides (28).
 25. Parking, according to claim 24, characterized by the fact that the upper framework (27) of the lifting system presents, in its four ends, the engaging structure (29) which allow the engagement of the boxes (2) during the movements of lifting and lowing of the box (2), placing them on the lifting system (4).
 26. Parking, according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that the stacking of multiple parking boxes (2) on the base structure (3) and a lifting system (4) form a box pile (29).
 27. Parking, according to claim 19, characterized by the fact that it does not need the building of fixed supporting structures of the boxes above the ground level and comprises a set of box piles (29).
 28. Method for managing maneuvering characterized by the fact that it consists of a system for optimizing the parking space and the vehicles parking in multiple levels (1), wherein the system for managing maneuvering organizes a sequence of movements of the boxes (2) which compose the parking (1), allowing the access of a vehicle to the inside of the parking, as well as its removal.
 29. Method, according to claim 28, characterized by the fact that the sequence of movements of the boxes (2) is promoted by the system for managing maneuvering in the removal operation of a vehicle be consisted of a sequence of lowerings of a whole box pile (29).
 30. Method, according to claim 29, characterized by the fact that the horizontal displacement of the parking boxes (2) below the target box are located at the level of the base structure until the target box (2), which comprises the vehicle to be removed hit the ground level, at ground height and, thus, the target box (2) with the vehicle is directed up to the end of the line of piles being removed by a driver.
 31. Method, according to claim 30, characterized by the fact that, following the boxes (2) that are spread on the level of the base structure, the same are forwarded to the base of the pile on the position where they will be lifted by the lifting system to reconstitute it. 